You cannot compare JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby as having what is coined "good quality" fabric with LQS who carry name brands.
As far as LQS goes at ours in a neighboring town I haven't seen any "good quality" fabric for over $11.98 a yard. She tries to keep it low compared to other retailers and LQS within a 50 mile radius and probably why she is doing so well. And what is higher priced is the wider fabric.
Usually really good quality fabric can be bought on SALE at about $3.95 to $5.95 a yard but it is as I said good quality.
I base good quality on the thickness of the fabric. If I hold it to the light and I can see light than it is not good quality. Also the feel of the fabric will give you an idea of good quality.
I use to think of fabric as to expensive but I also learned quickly that if you want something to look nice you must spend more for a better quality of fabric. You can find good quality fabric for quilting for about $5.95 a yard if you do your research.
I do quite a bit of buying online with a handful of sellers that have a small LQS in there area and even shipping it here it is still cheaper than paying over $6 a yard. And I do spend quite a bit at the local LQS and pay anywhere from $2.98 a yard to as high as $7.98 a yard. I can't recall buying any I like there for over $7.98 a yard. I usually maintain up to $5.98 a yard though in that LQS.
In searching locally for good quality fabric I have had some luck in thrift stores and yes even one of the Walmarts in a neighboring town by buying the whole bolt at $1.50 a yard but that is not not always.